Food Security Update- July 2013
Early Warning and Situation Reports
Jul Purpose and Interpretation: Food Security Updates (FSUs) have two key components; 1) an Early Warning (EW) section and 2) a Situation Report (SitRep) from main States and Regions. The EW section outlines the key events occurring throughout Myanmar that are currently impacting the food security situation. By highlighting these events, it is possible to identify townships where food security status is likely to deteriorate in the short term, facilitating decision-making and response. Methodologically, WFP classifies the severity of shocks as Low, Moderate or High, depending on the likelihood that a shock is significant enough to result in deteriorations in key food security indicators as defined by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN). Indicator scores are then summed to determine a shock severity score. This methodology is summarized below. The SitRep, by contrast, provides general information on a monthly basis about the food security situation in key Regions and States in Myanmar. SitReps summarize the evolving food security situation and help provide context to more in-depth FSIN periodic monitoring rounds. Source of information: Information included in Food Security Updates (FSUs) comes from a variety of sources, including observations from field staff, information from assessment activities, community reports or requests for assistance, government requests for action and information from media outlets. Monthly Updates can be accessed online at http://www.fsinmyanmar.net. FSIN Food Security Classifications FSIN Key Indicators Shock impact on each Shock severity scoring is sum of indicator Generally food secure . Crop Production . Hunger indicator is estimated scores, categorized as follows: Moderately food insecure . Food stocks . Acute malnutrition and scored as follows: Low severity <12 Highly food insecure . Market stocks . Disease Low=1 Mod severity 12 to 17 Severe Situation . Purchasing power . Migration Moderate=2
High severity >17 Emergency Situation . Dietary diversity . Coping High=3 Early Warning Report: Key Shocks Reported in July Shock Recent FSIN Severity Shock State Township severity classifications1 Direct effect and likely human impact score Pre Mid Post Landslides occurred along the Ayerwaddy River bank, Pakokku 8 displacing 205 HHs (and 835 people) in 3 villages in Magway Pakokku and 35 HHs (and 170 people in 2 villages in
Yenangyaung 8 Yenangyaung.
Landslides In July, landslides blocked the road to Lwe Je and
Low destroyed shelters in U Khaung Par IDP camp. The road Momauk 4 n/a n/a n/a to Lwe Je was impassable for one week before being Kachin cleared, causing limited disruption. In U Khaung camp, 13 families lost their homes and there was damage Momauk 2 n/a n/a n/a reported to a school and camp latrines. Due to heavy rains for several days in Kayin during the Hpa An last week of July, five townships were flooded, displacing 6,800 households or approximately 40,000 people. Displaced were housed in 79 temporary camps in Pha Hlaing Bwe An, Hlaing Bwe, Kawkayeik, Kyarinn Seik Gyi and Myawaddy. Flooding Kayin Kaw Kariek 15 n/a n/a n/a While displacement was short-lived, damages to paddy crops, food stocks and livestock were significant. In total,
Moderate 45,000 acres of paddy were flooded, potentially causing Kyainseikgyi significant damage to as many as 11,000 acres (with 3,900 confirmed damaged to date). Likewise, infrastructure was affected including roads as well as Myawaddy
drinking water sources.
Nothing to Report High
Actions Taken/ Needed Landslides—In Magway and Kachin, WFP and other partners in the food sector will continue to monitor the situation in the affected villages/ camps. Given the relatively small scale of these landslides, communities, with assistance from government, should be able to mitigate any impacts. Flooding --- In Kayin, WFP sent a team to assess the magnitude of the disaster and provide recommendations as to the role WFP can play in the recovery efforts. WFP is now considering how best to assist affected populations and assess potential longer term impacts of the floods.
1 FSIN food security classifications are made pre-monsoon, mid-monsoon and post-monsoon. Classifications included in the table above detail the last three classifications observed in periodic monitoring rounds prior to the monthly report. Page 1 of 3
Food Security Update- July 2013
Early Warning and Situation Reports
FSIN Situation Report While the total IDP population in Kachin remained stable in July, increases were observed in camps in Myitkyina, Waingmaw and Bhamo Townships. This was largely a result of IDPs migrating from more remote camps to enable their children to enroll in schools. Food and cash assistance continued to reach IDPs in many camps. WFP continued to provide food to all camps in government controlled areas, with 532 MTs of food reaching more than 31,000 IDPs. During the same period, OXFAM/ KBC/ Shalom delivered cash assistance (6000 MMK per person per month) to close to 10,000 IDPs in 36 camps in Myitkyina, Waingmaw, Mohnyin, Moe Gaung, Hpakan and Kamaing Townships. METTA resumed cash assistance (7,500 MMK per person per month) to IDPs in most camps in Bhamo, Momauk, Mansi and Shwe Gu townships. KBC and KMSS have resumed food assistance in 9 IDP camps in non-government controlled areas. There are food security concerns for Laiza area since METTA has stopped its food assistance. In July, IRRC was only able to provide rice and salt to IDPs in the Laiza area. In July, work opportunities for IDPs increased in Myitkyina, Waingmaw and Bhamo townships, as activities related to planting paddy intensified. According to reports, however, more work opportunities were available to women than men, which made it difficult to utilize these opportunities as many women had to stay home to care of young children. Given this, it was estimated that only 20% of IDPs were able to take advantage of these opportunities. Notably, there were also limited reports of IDPs migrating (for days or months) for work opportunities, though specifics as to which IDPs or what types of work opportunities was not readily Kachin State available. In July, health and nutrition issues were reported in IDP camps in both government and non-government controlled areas. In government controlled camps, particularly in Myitkyina and Waingmaw, diarrhea and respiratory infections were commonly reported amongst children, though there was no indication of a deteriorating nutrition situation. In non-government controlled areas, particularly in Sadaung and Chipwe townships, malnutrition was the primary concern, with reports that nutrition programming was insufficient in relation to the needs. These IDPs were receiving food assistance however. Outside of IDP camps, agricultural activities were ongoing but the success of the planting season remains a question mark as rainfall continued to be inadequate in July (Source: Department of Agriculture). According to media reports the impacts of inadequate rainfall were particularly pronounced in Shwe Gu Township. In Puta-O District, in northern Kachin, the food security situation remained precarious as rice shortages continue to afflict the area. Shortages have persisted since the beginning of the conflict as the road linking Puta-O to Myitkyina has been beset with security issues, becoming largely impassible and significantly impacting commodity flows. Communities from Nawngmun, Khaunglanhpu and Machanbaw townships appear particularly affected, with rice prices roughly double the normal price. In other parts of Kachin, seasonal increases in rice prices were observed, reflecting increased transportation difficulties due to the ongoing rains.
In July, rains were continuous throughout monitored areas in Shan. In parts of northern Shan, rains were heavy enough to affect paddy seedlings either by disrupting transplantation or affecting weeding activities. The hardest hit townships were reportedly Kutkhai, Muse and Nam Kham. Heavy rains also led to small-scale landslides in Manton, affecting road transportation namely. In northern Shan, maize crops are maturing and farmers are selling crops in advance for low prices. Green tea harvesting is continuing in July in Man Tone and Nam Kham townships. In southern Shan, farmers in Hopong were busy with lowland paddy cultivation as well as the harvesting and processing of cheroot leaves. In Phekon, farmers reported insufficient rain to begin lowland cultivation but weeding for upland paddy and chilli is ongoing. Reportedly, leave disease and late rains will impact upland paddy yields, though the exact impacts are not yet clear. In His Hsaing, irregular rains impacted the growth of maize, paddy and Shan State other plants. Most farmers are facing water shortages for the lowland paddy cultivation as well, with Naung Kyaw, Bant Bwee and Kone Sut village tracts most impacted. Job opportunities were increasing throughout southern Shan in July, as weeding and other agricultural activities (including poppy cultivation activities) is ongoing. Notably, daily wages for poppy cultivation remain higher than other wages for crops cultivation. Swine disease (Pneumonia) was observed in Lashio township, though the number of pigs impacted was not clear. In July, malaria was commonly reported in KutKhai, while diarrhea was observed in both Muse and Nam Kham townships. In southern Shan, seasonal flu and respiratory diseases were the most common diseases reported.
The food security situation in the Dry Zone was largely stable in July. Monsoon rains were progressively relieving the water shortages reported in April and May, leading to improved hygiene and more prevalent animal fodder. Sesame harvesting began in July, but uneven rainfall across the region impacted the success of the first sesame crop. In Pakokku, Myaing, Yesagyo and Pauk, initial observations indicate that as much as 50% of the crop was surviving but not in good shape, while another 20% was dried and damaged. In Yenangyaung township, 8 villages reported total crop loss, with villagers reportedly migrating to Shan State to find work. Rainfall shortfalls were particularly pronounced west of the Ayerwaddy River. East of Ayerwaddy, certain villages in Natmauk, Yenangyaung and Chauk received enough rainfall to begin preparing for second crops (groundnuts, sesame, cotton, Magway Region pulses etc). Dengue fever cases increased significantly in July, with children in Natmauk township particularly affected. According to the local NGO REAM, at least 2 children in their project areas died. Beginning in late June and continuing throughout July, the Department of Rural Development, the World Food Programme and Save the Children conducted a joint food security and nutrition survey in the Dry Zone. The sampling frame for the survey included all townships in the Dry Zone, spanning Magway, Mandalay and Sagaing Regions. Results will be available in the coming months.
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Food Security Update- July 2013
Early Warning and Situation Reports
FSIN Situation Report In Rakhine state, the food security and nutrition situation remains precarious, particularly in conflict affected areas. In July, approximately 130,000 IDPs received food assistance in central Rakhine while close to 11,000 did in northern Rakhine. An additional 1,000 Bangladeshi refugees received assistance in northern Rakhine as well. The food security situation in the camps remains relatively stable as assistance is largely sufficient to cover needs. However there are reports of IDPs selling part of the food assistance to diversify their food intake and punctually cover other unmet needs. This highlights the rationale of reviewing how assistance is provided in some camps, especially the ones closed to running markets, where increased levels of cash transfers could be an option for IDPs to better meet their preferences in basic needs. Firewood shortages continue to be a problem, which reportedly leads to skipped meals and improper preparation and utilization of blended foods.
Amongst non-displaced populations, insecurity continues to impact livelihoods and hundreds of thousands face movement restrictions limiting access to basic services. To bolster livelihoods and increase agricultural production, the government provided an assortment of agricultural inputs to conflict affected villages in July. In Maungdaw, the Department of Agriculture distributed 1,980 baskets of paddy seeds, 1,980 bags of urea fertilizers and 33 power tillers. Likewise, in central Rakhine, the government is providing seeds as well as tractors. Rakhine State An inter-Agency Rapid Needs Assessment was conducted in Aung Mingalar ward in Sittwe town. Although located in downtown Sittwe, the Muslim population of Aung Mingalar is not able to travel outside their ward and thus remain unable to access health facilities, schools, markets etc. Findings of the assessment indicate a concerning health and nutritional situation. While MSF has recently opened a mobile clinic in the ward, it only operates twice a week which is not sufficient to cover the range of health needs. No nutrition services are available for the population. Poor sanitation conditions are likely exacerbating the nutrition situation, as large segments of the population do not have access to latrines.
Monsoon rains were largely normal in July, except in Buthidaung township where rainfall was roughly 30% less than normal. Notably, strong monsoon winds and rain reportedly impacted fishing activities in Maungdaw, leading to a 19% and 13% reduction in fish and shrimp production respectively. Similar disruptions were reported in Buthidaung with a 24% reduction in shrimp production.
In northern Rakhine, protracted relief rations were distributed to 70,578 beneficiaries in July. More than 23,000 U5 children and PLW were amongst the beneficiaries.
As the 2012 monsoon harvests were largely insufficient to cover food needs for the year, communities throughout Chin State face a longer than normal food gap in 2013. In July, reports of food shortages persisted, with indications that shortages are significant enough to force households to change consumption patterns. In Matupi and Thantlang townships, for instance, households reported reducing meals and making rice porridge, both of which are common strategies to make rice and maize stocks last longer. Reports also indicate that a percentage of households have begun to harvest their maize crops early this year in order to cover food needs, even though crops remain immature. Typically, harvests would take place in mid-to-late August and early September. Notably, several villages in Thantlang township (Fartlang, Lau and Ngaphaite) requested food assistance in July, despite having received assistance from the government several months ago.
Townships throughout Chin reported heavy rains in July. Lowland paddy production reportedly is suffering as a result. According Chin State to field observations and community reports, paddy plants are yellowing and weeds are becoming a major problem. Rains have also resulted in road closures, which are typical of this season.
In Hakha, pigs died from an unknown disease in July. As a result, people are afraid to purchase them and demand has suffered.
While food shortages are pronounced this year, low yields and crop failures have grown increasingly common in Chin. This trend persists due to the continued reliance on shifting cultivation as opposed to more sustainable farming systems, which places stress on land, resulting in lower and lower yields as the fallow period for land grows shorter. Food sector partners in Chin are currently working to build sustainable community assets and help transition towards more sustainable farming systems where appropriate, hoping to bridge food gaps through asset building activities as opposed to free food distributions.
The FSIN is a network of technical experts and information managers from lead food security stakeholders. The FSIN seeks to improve information systems by facilitating information flow, harmonizing assessment activities and managing a coordinated Food security Monitoring System (FSMS). To date there are 29members of the FSIN, including UN agencies, INGOs as well as local NGOs and CBOs. For more information on the FSIN please visit http://www.fsinmyanmar.net or contact [email protected]
The FSIN receives funding from the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT)
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